IMA’s ADVOCACY FOR STRINGENT CENTRAL ANTI-VIOLENCE ACT' in chronological order:

 IMA’s ADVOCACY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS'

Below is a chronological overview of the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) efforts to advocate for a central anti-violence act and judicial proceedings related to violence against private doctors, based on available information. The focus is on key events, demands, and judicial or legislative developments, presented in bullet points.

- **2007**:   - Punjab enacts a state law making violence against health workers and property damage a non-bailable offense, though implementation is reported as ineffective.

- **2008**:   - Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act enacted by nearly two dozen states, but deemed ineffective due to poor implementation.

- **2009**:   - Public Health Bill introduced but not passed due to state objections, as health is a state subject.

 - **June 14, 2019**:   - IMA writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding a central law to curb violence against healthcare workers, proposing a minimum seven-year jail term and safe zone status for hospitals, following an attack on Dr. Paribaha Mukherjee in Kolkata

- **June 15, 2019**:   - IMA launches a four-day nationwide protest, including strikes and peace marches, to support West Bengal doctors and reiterate demand for a central law.

- **September 4, 2019**:   - IMA writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging an ordinance for a central law after a doctor’s assault in Assam, highlighting the Health Ministry’s draft bill from

 - **September 2019**:   - Health Ministry drafts “The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019,” proposing up to 10 years imprisonment and fines for assaults on healthcare workers, but it is stalled by the Home Ministry.

- **April 20, 2020**:   - IMA demands a special central law via ordinance, announcing a “White Alert” protest on April 22, followed by a “Black Day” on April 23 if demands are unmet

- **April 22, 2020**:   - IMA organizes a silent protest with 12,000 doctors and 20,000 nurses to demand a central law against violence.

- **April 2020**:   - Government amends Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, making violence against healthcare workers cognizable and non-bailable during health emergencies, but this is temporary

- **September 10, 2020**:   - IMA writes to Amit Shah, seeking to strengthen anti-violence measures until a central law is enacted, comparing hospital security needs to airports.

- **June 19, 2021**:   - IMA Ludhiana protests, demanding a Central Hospital and Health Care Professional Protection Act with IPC and CrPC provisions, citing rising violence and ineffective state laws.

- **October 3, 2022**:   - Reports highlight lack of centralized data on violence against doctors and loopholes in existing laws, such as no compensation mechanism for victims.

- **May 10, 2023**:   - Junior doctor Vandana Das killed in Kerala, prompting the “Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Amendment Act of 2023,” strengthening state protections.

- **July 16, 2024**:   - IMA President R.V. Asokan calls for a nationwide “Justice for Doctors” campaign (July-August) to address rising violence, noting a stalled central bill.

- **August 9, 2024**:   - Rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, sparks nationwide protests, highlighting vulnerabilities in hospital systems.

- **August 13, 2024**:   - IMA writes to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, demanding a central law and safe zone status for hospitals, citing ineffective state laws in 25 states.

- **August 16, 2024**:   - IMA demands a Central Protection Act for Doctors, threatening continued strikes unless an ordinance is issued, referencing the 2019 draft bill.

- **August 17, 2024**:   - IMA and other medical associations meet Health Ministry officials to discuss the stalled 2019 bill, prompted by the Kolkata incident.

- **August 31, 2024**:   - IMA writes to the National Task Force (NTF), formed by the Supreme Court post-Kolkata incident, demanding a central law, safe zones, and better conditions for resident doctors

- **September 6, 2024**:   - RTI query reveals Home Ministry stalled the 2019 bill, despite ongoing IMA advocacy.

- **October 21, 2024**:   - IMA President R.V. Asokan criticizes the central government’s refusal to acknowledge violence against doctors, noting resistance due to law and order being a state subject.

- **November 14, 2024**:   - IMA reiterates demand to NTF for a central law, emphasizing deterrence and hospital safe zones, supported by a study on night duty safety.

=================================================================

Meanwhile, it's a temporary and little solace if the central govt' amends section 121 of BNS to categorize private medical services as public service and private doctors as public service providers, to safeguard them under BNS itself.

While states have primary responsibility for law and order and public/private health, the Centre can influence these through concurrent subjects like criminal law or national directives (e.g., for healthcare worker safety).